The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-12

| Then an unusual quiet prevailed in the jail.
| The only noise in the cell room was the
| low voices Of a few deputies, the turning of
key in the lock and the rapid ticking of
| telegraph instrument which was telling the
world of the last hours Of the four Anarch-
| lists.
About 1890 o'clock Fischer lay down, and
five minutes later his breathing was so heavy
and regular that the watchers were con-
vlnced that he was sound asleep. Engel
was cheerful and contented, and at times
even witty. Late at night he became remin-
lscent, and some Of the stories he told were
decidedly sensational. Once he said. "You
people think, perhaps, that am afraid to go
70 the gallows. Disabuse your mind of the
idea at once, for it is not true No man ever
faced death more calmly than l do now. 1
am an Anarchist l believe in its every
principle, and as it is opposed to the present
order of things, what is more natural than
the desire of the authorities to choke me-"
He then referred to his family, his wife and
his daughter, and as he ratified on about
them there was a tinge of sadness in his
voice. When think of them," he said,
II sometimes falter in my resolution to meet
my fate bravely. But then l think, in fact,
know, they will be well cared for. The
Anarchists, for whom am about to sacrifice
my life, will see that they do not want. They
nave told me so, and believe them When
will be to .Anarchism, how it will boom the
cause and increase its ranks, can even
think of my wife and family without a tear"
During his entire conversation Engel smoked
a cigar and was perfectly at ease.
Not many minutes from O'Clock came
daylight, cold and pitiless as the law about
TO be avenged, and hustle, different from
that of the night, invaded the seclusion of
the prison. The day of the hanging had ar
rived. Six o'clock came and the Iumbling
of wagons, the blowing of whistles and the
ringing of bells told that the people outside
were astir. But the Anarchists slept on. 1t
was just fifteen minutes to seven when Engel
awoke. Within the next ten minutes his
They tumbled out of their cots and hastily
dressed themselves. No conversation took
place between the Anarchists and their
guards. Spies and Parsons simply bade
them g0od-by, and in few moments the
Deputies emerged from the cell room. They
were relieved by Others. Fischer was the
hrst one to emerge from his cell. Accom-
panied by two Deputies he stepped over to
the plain iron sink and took a good wash
His every movement was closely watched
Spies next performed his ablutions and
seemed to enjoy them. Old man Engel fol-
lowed the young Anarchist, and the last to
wash was Parsons.
Writing materials were furnished to Par
sons and Fischer. who Immediately set about
preparing statements. Engel made no re-
quest tor pen and paper, but sat stolidly on
his bed looking at the opposite wall of his
cell. Rev. DIR. Bolton passed around into the
north corridor, and from the gallery over
looking the scaffold took view Of that grim
structure. Then he returned and paced
nervously backward and forward in
front of the cells containing the fated
Anarchists. 1t was now $50, and not
80 feet away from the coming victims the
stantly admitting crowds of newspaper
men and deputy sheriffs, crowdng the little
room almost to suffocation and indulging in
q loud puzz OF conversation, that could be
heard plainly in the cells. Spies internal
fever had so increased as to induce him to
order a glass of Rhine wine, which being
brought to his cell, he swallowed at gulp.
A lew minutes were then occupied by him
III writing autographs for the officers attach
ed to the sheriff's office. DR.. Mayer, the
the other condemned men if they desired |
stimulants, and all save Engel replied in the |
negative. Engel asked for some portlwine. |
1t was given him at once and he gulped |
down three large glasses.
At 7.20 two walters from NartelPs restau- |
rant brought in the prisoners their break |
fasts. The edibleS were carried in a large |
new clothes-basket, and the linen and table |
ware looked bright and clean. All had or |
dered beefsteak, coffee, bread and butter but |
Parsons. who had expressed desire for raw |
oysters, fried eggs and milk toast All of |
them ate heartily. Parsons especially clear |
ed everything before him and asked for |
plate oI tried oysters: They were quickly |
~
When the prisoners had finished their last |
meal touching letter of farewell, signed by |
F1elden and Schwab, part being in the |
handwriting Of each man, was brought down |
stairs by big turnkey. 1t was first passed |
into Spies, then in turn to Parsons. Engel |
and Fischer. The Rev. DIR. Bolton arrived /
at 7.45 a. M, and passed into the cell room.
Passing first into Parsons cell, he attempted |
TO engage the doomed Texan in religious
conversation. Parsons had not yet finished
his breakfast. What passed between them
was not divulged. In the meantime Spies |
had called for paper and envelopes, and
menced writing. He was interrupted by the
sheriff, who accosted him and stood in front
OF the cell door while they talked. The
sheriff took notes of the conversation and |
then passed oE. After a stay of IS minutes
in Parsons cell, Dr. Bolton emerged, and
walking to Spies door stood looking at that
individual, who glanced at the clergyman
and continued his writing. Dr. Bolton re-
malned standing in front of Spies two or
three minutes, but receiving no recognition,
he walked away.
While standing in front of Engel's cell DIR.
Bolton was in danger of becoming involved
in religious controversy, for the condemned
man boldly cOmbatted the propositions |
OF the divine. Within a few minutes
Of nine message came from Mrs. Parsons
through bailitf, applying at the Jail for
admission. The request was sternly re-
plication for executive clemency was
brought to Chicago by Governor Oglesby's
son. Deputy Gleason intercepted the mes
senger on the train near the city limits, and
the official copy was at once brought to the
lail by the deputy